Skip to main content

Debut Novel Paradise Towers by Shweta Bachchan-Nanda

Who hasn't heard of Shweta Bachchan-Nanda?  A well-known personality, and the daughter of actors Jaya and Amitabh Bachchan - the superstar, she is also a columnist for DNA and Vogue, now you know. 
For someone who religiously follows Shweta Bachchan-Nanda's columns, I was super elated when she announced her debut book- Paradise Towers, and I couldn't wait for its release, was even more excited to be invited and be a part of the launch event. So, without further ado, here I note my review for Paradise Towers published by Harper Collins India.
Blurb
Dinesh opens the door to the Kapoor flat to find Lata, the enchantress who works at Mrs. Aly Khan's, carrying a hot case with freshly made 'gaajar ka halwa.' On the first floor, the inquisitive Mrs. Mody wipes the dust off her precious binoculars to spy on the building's security guard. The Singhs open the doors of their SUV, their four boys creating a ruckus - they are the newcomers, the outsiders. Through the peephole, the ever-watchful Mrs. Ranganekar observes their arrival. Welcome to Paradise Towers, an apartment building in central Mumbai. Everyone here has a story to tell. Or maybe they have stories to hide. Shweta Bachchan-Nanda's quirky, intimate debut explores the intertwined lives in this building - a forbidden romance, an elopement, the undercurrents of tension in corridor interactions and an explosive Diwali celebration. Bachchan-Nanda's is a dazzling voice that will draw you into the intoxicating, crazy world that is Paradise Towers.
About the Book
Believe me, when I say, the book is a slice of life of those who reside in society apartments in a city like Mumbai. The plot is partly quirky, partly realistic and partly reel. The story is set in a quaint apartment called 'Paradise Towers' in central Mumbai, where we are introduced to characters all belonging to different cultures and backgrounds. Life in Paradise Towers is no different from how life in an society building is, It includes a mix of friendly banters, elderly spying, gossip tale, a hint of daily dramas, and occasional gatherings which includes lots of food and tete-a- tete.
Any onlooker may feel everything is normal in this quaint looking apartment, however only the ones residing in Paradise Towers are aware of the stories behind every floor. Maybe you can find out more about the tale if you grab a copy of Paradise Towers, in the meantime, you can read my take on the book.
My Take on the Book
TBH, I genuinely enjoyed reading the book, it is a refreshing read, with a mix of dramas, chaos, and quirkiness. The plot is riveting and the flow is lyrical which made me wonder how the author could visualise life in a society apartment, whilst not having lived in one, thus making me appreciate how observant she is to have crafted a plot where most readers can resonate and connect subsequently. Not bringing in to a comparison but there is a 'slight' striking similarity between her and Twinkle Khanna when it comes to the humour part, it could be a co-incident though, after all, great minds think alike. Right?  On the contrary, they possess their own style of narratives, so, not judging. 
Also, what kept me going and finishing the book in a single sitting was its plot and sub-plot, it was undeniably absorbing and unputdownable.  I loved the author's way of narration which had a mix of emotions, hint of dramas and realistic perspective. For someone who lives in Mumbai, I could very much relate with what happens in and around a society building, and the book has aptly recounted. As a debut novel for the author, I applaud her views and strong observational skills which brought Paradise Towers to life and made it look like a part of everyday lives in a city's apartment. 
Surely, life seemed all perfect in Paradise Towers, until a phenomenon occurs and unveils few hidden tales to tell.  
A quirky, intimate debut explores the intertwined lives in this building – a forbidden romance, an elopement, the undercurrents of tension in corridor interactions and an explosive Diwali celebration. Shweta Bachchan-Nanda’s is a dazzling voice that will draw you into the intoxicating, crazy world that is Paradise Towers.
Book Details
Title: Paradise Towers
Author: Shweta Bachchan-Nanda
Paperback: 184 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins India; 1 edition (6 October 2018)
Price: Rs. 155
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9353023157
ISBN-13: 978-9353023157
My Rating: 4/5
If you are looking for a light and refreshing read, or a debut book of an author, you must pick this book. Also, if you turn out to be a fan of Shweta Bachchan's work, then you must definitely add it to your TBR list.



Labels:

Comments

  1. Vada Green23 October 2018 at 03:33

    Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown30 October 2018 at 01:16

    This book sounds interesting!! All the drama has me intrigued! Great review! And so cool u got to go to the release!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Book Review: I’ve Never Been (Un)Happier by Shaheen Bhatt

About the book Lights, Camera . . . Inaction Unwittingly known as Alia Bhatt’s older sister, screenwriter and fame-child Shaheen Bhatt has been a powerhouse of quiet restraint—until now. In a sweeping act of courage, she now invites you into her head. Shaheen was diagnosed with depression at eighteen, after five years of already living with it. In this emotionally arresting memoir, she reveals the daily experiences and debilitating big picture of one of the most critically misinterpreted mental illnesses in the twenty-first century. Equal parts conundrum and enlightenment, Shaheen takes us through the personal pendulum of understanding and living with depression in her privileged circumstances. With honesty and a profound self-awareness, Shaheen lays claim to her sadness, finding it a home in the universal fabric of the human condition. In this multi-dimensional, philosophical tell-all, Shaheen acknowledges, accepts and overcomes the peculiarities of this way of being alive...
3 comments
Read more

Book Review: The Bedside Book of Life: Secrets to Finding Your Missing Pieces and Living to the Fullest

About the Book Look again . . . Not everything is as it appears to be! The Bedside Book of Life is a guided tour into the spiritual scheme of life, revealing the intricate pattern of the bigger picture as it unfolds and adds up to your existence. This book will help you understand what is in your hands and what you must accept gracefully. Let it bring you comfort, courage, and clarity. This book is drawn from the intersection of spirituality, karma, and the author’s quest of finding answers to living a life of righteousness and positivity. It is more than a guide to life; it is a reality check that the universe is intelligent and any hurdle it throws at you is because it is also giving you the strength to deal with it. Wholesome and uplifting, this book will help you find ways to grapple with anything and everything. In the process, it will also help you find your missing pieces, heal your past, and inspire you to make the best of your life. My Take on the Book  ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Reading in Quarantine- #Birthdaybloghop

Books are good company, in sad times and happy times, for books are people – people who have managed to stay alive by hiding between the covers of a book.” – E.B. White With the Coronavirus crisis and most of the nation quarantined inside the comfort of their homes, I can presume all the bookworms silently rejoicing, not that the world is coming to a standstill (that would be rude), but because of the reason that we will have all the possible time in the world to be reading and ticking off our TBR lists (Not precisely though). At least we thought we will have all the possible time in the world to read and read till our eyes are sore, but guess that remind yet another excuse of, ‘maybe, I will start reading tomorrow.' And, one would probably be asking, ‘why read? when we have other things to keep ourselves engaged. There are so many other things to do and catch up with- for instance, binge-watching book adapted series, attending zoom calls, video calling old friends to ch...
8 comments
Read more